And the rest: Week 5 picks

This is the first of the bye weeks in the NFL regular season, with six teams getting the weekend off, but there’s still eight games to try and sort out…

Last week’s overall picks record: 11-5
Season so far: 11-5

Picks:

Oakland 20
Houston 30
The Texans will be able to open up a little more this week, and beat the Raiders in the air and on the ground.

Arizona 17
Minnesota 21
The elusive first victory for the Vikings must surely be just around the corner. Cardinals are also lacking confidence.

Tennessee 14
Pittsburgh 24
The Titans have quietly gone about their business, but the Steelers are determined to get back on winning track.

Kansas City 20
Indianapolis 24
The Colts almost did enough to secure victory against the Bucs. Necessary improvement shown; enough to beat the Chiefs.

Cincinnati 16
Jacksonville 9
Two mediocre teams, two rookie QBs, anything could happen here. Expect Dalton and the Bengals to do enough.

Seattle 6
New York Giants 30
The Seahawks can’t score, while Eli Manning is in excellent form. Only one outcome at Meadowlands.

New Orleans 31
Carolina 24
Should be a great battle of quarterbacks in this one. Drew Brees’ experience to be enough against Cam Newton.

Chicago 28
Detroit 24
Monday night football in Detroit. Raucous crowd. No better time for the Bears to grind the Lions to a halt.